Resumen

MENESES C, LUIS; ASPEE L, CLAUDIO; PIOTTANTE B, ANTONIO  y  PALMA A, PAULA. Compressive axillary plates for persistent seroma after axillary lymphadenectomy. Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2007, vol.59, n.6, pp. 448-453. ISSN 0718-4026.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-40262007000600011.

Background: Persistent axillary post-lymphadenectomy seroma is a frequent complication of breast cancer treatment. Aim: To evaluate the benefit of fixed compressive axillary plates for this complication. Material and methods: Retrospective comparison of 30 patients in whom this technique was used with a randomized historic group of 30 women, handled with a standard technique that included suction drains and external axillary compressive elastic bandages. Results: Both groups had similar age, stage and operation type. Eight patients (27%) in the historic group and 2 (7%) in the axillary plate group had a persistent axillary seroma (p=0.04). Additionally, the plate group needed drains for a shorter period. There were no differences in the duration of seroma and the appearance of local complications. We did not observe any relationship between seroma appearance and the use of any particular operative technique or preoperative radiotherapy use. Conclusions: The use of fixed compressive axillary plates reduced the incidence of persistent seroma after axillary lymphadenectomy

Palabras clave : Compressive plate; seroma; axillary lymphadenectomy; breast cancer.